Means for securing structural blocks in frames



RNEYs.

s. F. cox 2,156,678 MEANS FOR sEoUmNG sTRuTuRAL eLocxs 1N `FRAMES 2 Filed Feb. 9, v1938 May 2; 1939.

Patented May 2, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcg MEANS FOR SECURINGy STRUCTURAL BLOCKS IN FRAMES Samuel' Frank Cox, Pittsburgh, Pa., assigner ton Pittsburgh Plate -Glass Company, VAllegheny County, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania. ,y

Application February 9, 1938, Serial No.7l89,578`

c Claims. (ol. 72-42) consideration of the following specification and 16 claims, together with the drawing pertaining thereto.

One method of mounting building units of the l type of hollow glass blocks involves setting the blocks, in edge to edge relation in groups com- 20 prising panels, the panels being secured in position in a wall bymeans of a suitable framework.

Usually these frameworkscomprise channel irons or the like beams o'f conventional design between the flanges of which the marginal portions of the outermost building units are disposed.

Glass building blocks are of transparentcharacter and framework,`employed as holding means, therefore, is more or less exposed to view and may be unsightly. Accordingly, for this and other reasons it is desirable to reduce the' amount of framework required to a minimum, and, therefore, the groups of building units'are frequently of extensive area. Large surfaces without backing or supplementary support are exposed to the' atmospheric forces, changes of temperature and the like variations. 'It will also be apparent that the framework itself is subject to relative distortion by lchanges of temperature, settling-of the building and other factors, and as a result the 40 units in the frame are frequently subjected to substantial stresses which may be exerted either perpendicular to or in the plane of the assembly. These strains are so great that rupture ofthe units or a part thereof may occur.

In order to seal the space between the edges of the blocks at the margins of the panels and the flanges of the framework, and also to permit a certain degree of relative movement of the panel in the frame, the channel customarily is packed with a soft, plastic caulking compound. Such compound will yield under relatively moderate forces but it does not have sulcient resiliency to return the panel of blocks to its initial' position when'the stress is relieved.

In a wall constructed in accordance with the provisions of the present invention, these 4objectionable -strains upon thebuilding blocksare minimized or overcome by provision of elastic vsecuring means which coacts with the lplastic caulking material for holding the edges of the outermost 5 'units of apanel of building blocks -in the framework in such manner as to permit resilient yielding and subsequent return Aof the units with respect to the frame in any direction.

For a better vunderstanding'o'f the invention 10 lreference Vmay now'be'had to the accompanying drawingin which like numerals refer to like parts throughout and .in which Figure 1 is a fragmen- Vtarycross-sectional view showing one ,convenient method of securing the marginal proportions of 16 the building blocks in the supporting framework. Figure'2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing one manner in "which the invention may be employed. 1

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-'sectional view 20 taken substantially 4upon 4the lineIIII-III o f Figure 2.

In the form-of the invention disclosed in -Figure 1, a' channel iron or an I beam, which may constitute a. partof v'the framework of a building 25 of any convenient design or may constitute an independent frame for ay preformed panel, is formed with a web 5 having' marginal .,fanges .6 which form a chase or channel for the reception of hollow glass blocks or other structural blocks 30 .'I. 'I'hese blocks conveniently compris'eftwo traylike sections 8 and 9 which are secured together' at their margins II by fusingforfin any other convenient mannen 'I'he .formation of these blocks does not constitute a part of the present 35 invention. 1,-

A pad or cushion I2 of cork, glass wool orother relatively elastic material is disposed between the web 5 and the adjacent margin' of the units 'I and the inherent resiliency thereof permits relative 40 yielding between the blocks and the web. However, upon release of the strains between the block and the framework or upon change of the action thereof Vthe cushion accommodates itself `to the resultant change in position of the members. .45

The margins ofthe building blocks are held against movement with respect to theflanges 6 by means of springs I3 of phosphor bronze, carbon steel or the like, which roughly are of hairpin-like cross-sectional contour. As lshown in 50,

the dra-wing, the ends of the branches I4 of these springs engage the inner surface of flanges E while the bend I5 abuts the adjacent face of the 'unit l.

For purposes lof providing a moisture-proof and 55 the form'dlsclosed in Figure 1. The space abouty air-tight seal between the flanges 6 and the sur-V faces of the building blocks a plastic packing IS which may comprise a conventional caulking compound of soft yielding nature is disposed in position preferably forwardly of the springs I3. This compound adheres to the surfaces of the glass and the metal of the framework and provides a seal; yet by reason of its plastic nature it will yield under the various forces which may be exerted perpendicularly or otherwise to the block or units 1 and will also permit the unit to return to its initial position or otherwise shift its position in the framework under the urge of `the springs I3. However, the spring may be reversed, or it may be rotated ninety degrees so that one tip engages the building blockv while the other tip engages the adjacentfiange.

Springs I3 may be in the form of a plurality of spaced units or sections disposed at convenient distances along the flanges 6 or may comprise one or a plurality of channel-like members so disposed as to engage the panel through its length. In' the latter construction they will p rovide walls or dams against which the caulking compound I6 will abut, thus obviating the necessity of filling .the entire space between the flanges `6 and the adjacent faces of the units I with caulking compound. Substantial'economy of construction is thus obtained.

The form of the invention disclosed in Figures. 2 and 3 comprises a channel member 20 having a web 2I and flanges 22 and a pad 423 of glass wool all of which substantially correspond to the elements 5, 6 and I2 disclosed in Figure 1. The margins of hollow blocks 24 corresponding to blocks.

of a sinuous tape or ribbon-like spring 28 running along the edges of the panels and the apexes of the sinuations of which alternately contact with the inner surface of the flanges I2 and the ad-l jacent base of the block 24 resiliently to urge them apart. The mode of operation of this form of the invention is essentially the same as that of the spring is filled with caulking material 29.

tions.'

In the constructions herein disclosed, the caulking compound provides a yielding but air and water-tight seal about the edges of the units. The springs reinforce the caulking compound to prevent undue movement of the panels under steady pressure. They also impart resiliency to the assembly sc that the panels, upon slight displacement, are urged back to their normal posi- Although only the preferred forms of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications may be made therein Without departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A wall structure comprising a framework comprising web members having flanges providing channels, a plurality of hollow glass building blocks disposed in the frame to form a filling panel therefor and having the marginal portions thereof disposed between the flanges .of the framework and resilient members disposedl between the flanges and the adjacent faces-of the building blocks. l

2. A construction as defined in claim 1 in .which the resilient members are of spring material.

3. A construction as defined in claim l in which the resilient members Aare of hairpin-like -crosssectional contour and vengage at one end with the inner face of the flange and at the other end with the adjacent face pf the building blocks.

4. A construction as deflned in claim 1 in which the resilient members comprise springs formed of a sinuous spring tape having the apexes of the sinuations thereof alternately engaging the inner face of the flanges and the adjacent face of the building units. Y

5. A constructionv as dened. in claim 1 in which a seal of plastic material isl further dis-l posed between the flanges and the adjacent faces of the building block.

6. A construction as defined in claim 1 in which a backing of resilient material is disposed between the outer margin of the building blocks and the inner face of the web of the frame member. v

SAMUEL FRANK COX. 

